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Second shipyard worker dies after accident at Marine Hydraulics

NORFOLK, Va. – Another man has died after a reported workplace accident at local ship repair company Marine Hydraulics International Wednesday morning, police confirmed to News 3.

In a statement, Marine Hydraulics confirmed that the two deceased were shipyard workers.

Watch: News 3 reports from Marine Hydraulics after fatal industrial accident

News 3 reports from Marine Hydraulics after fatal industrial accident

According to police, Norfolk Fire-Rescue responded to the incident at the Marine Hydraulics Midtown Pier facility in Norfolk around 8:10 a.m. This is near the Midtown Tunnel.

According to police, one man died at the scene and another was taken to hospital with serious injuries. They later confirmed that the second man died in connection with the reported accident.

According to police, both incidents are being investigated as unexplained deaths. The OCME will determine the official manner and cause of death.

Marine Hydraulics International released the following statement to News 3 regarding the incident:

“We are deeply saddened to confirm the deaths of two shipyard workers following an incident this morning at MHI Ship Repair’s Midtown facility. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families as well as the many affected workers at our facility. We are committed to supporting you during this difficult time. Safety is our top priority at MHI and we will work with our own team and local authorities to investigate the cause of this incident.”

Hours after the incident, the News 3 team on scene saw ambulances and first responders entering and exiting the facility's gate. Speaking to our team, workers entering and exiting the facility described the incident as a “freak accident” that doesn’t normally happen.

They also said they believed the accident occurred in a ship's elevator.

Authorities did not provide details about the nature of the accident.

According to online records from 2021, MHI had OSHA violations totaling tens of thousands of dollars.

There were three violations at the company in 2021, one of which resulted in an employee breaking his foot.

The cases of these incidents have been closed.

OSHA told News 3 it is investigating Wednesday's events and said it could take up to six months to complete the investigation.

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